How to Get Around Madrid
The Madrid Metro
In Madrid, the metro quickly connects the historic center with the airport and the main train and bus stations of Madrid. It operates every day from 6:00 AM to 1:30 AM, and the access gates are marked with the letter “M.”
Madrid Buses
In Madrid, buses are also a good alternative. From Monday to Friday, they run from 6:00 AM to around 11:30 PM and travel on dedicated lanes along the main city streets. Routes and bus frequency are shown at stops. You can travel with backpacks (carried by hand, not on the back), suitcases (hand-luggage size allowed on planes), and foldable bicycles. On Saturdays and Sundays, buses operate from 7:00 AM to around 11:00 PM. At night, night buses popularly known as “búhos” (owls) run. They depart from Cibeles Square and are marked by the letter “N” before the line number. From Sunday to Friday and on holidays, they operate from 11:55 PM to 4:00 AM; on Saturdays and holiday eves, from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Taxis in Madrid
However, many people prefer to move around by taxi at night. Taxis run all day, are white, and bear a red stripe on the side along with the city emblem and the license number. You can hail them on the street when they have a green light on, at designated stops, or by calling radio taxi services. Tariffs are clearly displayed inside the vehicle and include minimum fare, start charge, mileage, and supplements like night service, holiday fees, or departures from stations or airports. The total cost is shown on the taximeter.
How to Call a Taxi in Madrid
Radio-Taxi Asociación Gremial: 91 447 51 80 / 91 447 32 32
Radio-Taxi Independiente: 91 405 12 13 / 91 405 55 00
Radio Teléfono Taxi / Euro Taxi: 91 547 82 00
Teletaxi: 91 371 21 31 / 91 371 37 11 / 630 907 990
Train
To reach Madrid’s surroundings, besides buses, you can use the train. The Renfe suburban rail network operates from around 5:00/6:00 AM until midnight and provides daily and frequent connections to tourist spots like Alcalá de Henares, El Escorial, or Aranjuez.
Tickets for the Madrid Tourist Bus
Another option is using the Madrid Tourist Bus that passes through the city’s most emblematic and monumental places. Tickets for one and two days cost 21 € and 25 € respectively, although discounts apply for under 16s and adults over 65. Children under six ride free, and family discounts are also available. Another original proposal is the Teleférico, which runs from Pintor Rosales avenue to Casa de Campo park. Prices range from €4.20 to €5.90. Finally, you can move around by bicycle, for example with the BiciMadrid service. The rate for casual use is €2 for the first hour and €4 for the following hours.
Getting Around Madrid, How Much It Costs
Madrid Metro Cost
There are different types of subscriptions and fares. A single metro ride costs €1.50 (5 stations) or €2 (10 or more stations). You can buy tickets at ticket offices and vending machines in stations. A bus ticket also costs €1.50 but is purchased directly onboard from the driver. There’s also a single ticket costing €3 valid for the entire Madrid metro network, as well as the Metrobus, a card valid for both transport types costing €12.20 and good for 10 rides. You can buy it at tobacconists, newsstands, and metro stations.
Madrid Tourist Passes
On the train, a single ticket costs €1.70 or a 10-ride ticket costs €10. Another alternative is tourist passes, valid for one person and unlimited rides on the metro, bus, and suburban train. They can be bought for one, two, three, five, or seven days, with prices ranging from €8.40 to €70.80, and children under 11 get a 50% discount.
There are two options: one allows travel within the city of Madrid, while the other covers the entire region, the so-called Zone T, including towns like Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez, El Escorial, Toledo, and Guadalajara. Passes can also be purchased from the Regional Transport Consortium, metro stations, the Metro User Assistance Center at the airport, and online. Other ways to get around. There is also the Madrid Card, which, besides unlimited use of the Madrid Tourist Bus, includes admission to major museums and discounts in stores, malls, shows, and restaurants. Cards are valid for one, two, three, or four days, cost between €47 and €77, and can be purchased online at www.madridcard.com or at some tourist offices.
Madrid: How to Get Around Cheaply
Madrid Card
To choose how to get around Madrid cheaply, first consider where you will stay, how many trips you will make, and how many people. The city center is well connected with many metro and bus stops. Most Madrid locals use the Metrobus because, besides saving on single tickets, it allows use of both transport modes, has no time limit on usage, and is transferable so multiple people can use it. Travel titles like tourist passes or the Madrid Card are valid for one person and allow unlimited travel during a selected period.
